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Environmental Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Assists in review, modification, preparation, and implementation of site-level environmental operating procedures (SOPs) as necessary * Supports implementation of the CA/NV environmental program, for ...

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Environmental Operator information

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$11

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How much do environmental operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for environmental operator in California is $17.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.95 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an environmental operator?

Environmental Operators are professionals responsible for operating, monitoring, and maintaining equipment and processes that control water, wastewater, and other environmental systems. They ensure compliance with environmental regulations, protect public health, and maintain the quality of natural resources. Their work may include sampling, laboratory testing, system adjustments, record-keeping, and responding to environmental emergencies.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be an environmental operator?

To thrive as an Environmental Operator, you need a solid understanding of environmental regulations, water and wastewater treatment processes, and typically require a relevant certification or license. Familiarity with SCADA systems, laboratory testing equipment, and maintenance tools is commonly expected. Attention to detail, problem-solving, and strong teamwork skills help ensure regulatory compliance and efficient plant operations. These skills and qualities are vital to protect public health, ensure environmental safety, and maintain reliable facility performance.

What challenges do environmental operators face in maintaining compliance with environmental regulations?

Environmental Operators often work in dynamic settings where regulations can frequently change, requiring them to stay updated and adaptable. Common challenges include accurately monitoring and reporting data, ensuring all equipment functions properly, and responding quickly to incidents or anomalies. Collaboration with maintenance teams, regulatory agencies, and management is essential to address issues proactively and avoid violations. Staying organized and continuously learning about new technologies or protocols helps operators effectively navigate these challenges.
Infographic showing various Environmental Operator job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 41% Full Time, 55% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,499 per year, or $17.1 per hour.

Environmental Specialist

Sims Metal

Redwood City, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 6 days ago


Sims Metal Management rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 24 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

35th of 91 rated recycling and waste


Job description

About Sims Metal

Sims Metal (Sims) is a global leader in metal recycling. With facilities across the globe, Sims plays an intrinsic role in the circular economy by making resources available for future use. As responsible corporate citizens, we continuously seek new ways to broaden our participation in the environmental sector, ensuring that our future is as bright, safe, and secure as ever in our long history.


Position Summary:


Work under the direction of the Senior Specialist to ensure that assigned sites within the region are provided leadership, guidance, and support to comply with environmental corporate, regulatory, and permitting requirements. Provide facilities with environmental guidance and support for appropriate control measures, environmental testing/assessment, and implementation efforts.


The position is located in Redwood City, CA (4 days on avg.). Additional travel may be required to other Sims Metal CA locations, including Sacramento, Richmond, San Jose, Rancho Cordova, Hayward, Stockton, and Sparks, NV.


Primary Focus

  1. To advance a culture of environmental stewardship by providing guidance, training, and hands-on support to comply with environmental corporate, regulatory, and permitting requirements.
  2. Facilitate the determination and implementation of appropriate environmental practices in response to facility-specific and regional requirements and issues, consistent with the company’s commitment to its social license to operate.
  3. Working in an industrial outdoor setting.


Principal Accountabilities

  • Supports permitting & compliance (P&C) team in CA/NV
  • Assist with environmental permitting program for CA/NV (including non-air quality applications for new permits and renewals; air monitoring network operation and management)
  • Assist with environmental compliance program for CA/NV (including regulatory visits and responses to NOVs), in coordination with Senior Specialist, facility operations management and national environmental management and enviro legal counsel
  • Supports proactive regional environmental/regulatory objectives (working with regional and facility management and environmental resources)
  • Assists in review, modification, preparation, and implementation of site-level environmental operating procedures (SOPs) as necessary
  • Supports implementation of the CA/NV environmental program, for fugitive and other emissions, stormwater, hazardous materials, waste, wastewater, petroleum above-ground storage tank and inbound source control
  • Support environmental remediation programs under environmental counsel direction
  • Support implementation of national environmental SOPs
  • Support the Environmental Management System for environmental-related Standards, Compliance/Permit requirements, delivery systems, training, tools, and communication.
  • Drive implementation and monitoring of environmental strategic plans considering State-specific standards aligned with corporate and regulatory requirements. These include stormwater, air emissions, hazardous waste, hazardous materials, petroleum above-ground tanks, and wastewater.
  • Assist with the development, monitoring, and adjustment of company-wide environmental key performance indicators designed to measure continual progress with environmental goals, as necessary.
  • Promote and facilitate company-related environmental standard conformance, regulatory and legal compliance, and external and internal standard conformance requirements.
  • Provide guidance and support to regional EHS teams to track, manage, and report compliance activities and results.
  • Support environmental assessments of facilities and interface with Senior Specialist, environmental legal counsel, national environmental management and key audit personnel on compliance activities, as necessary.
  • Support Senior Specialist, environmental legal counsel, regional management and corporate environmental team regarding management of remediation projects.
  • Collaborate with operational management/EHS teams as subject matter expert to provide guidance and support for environmental aspects of the business (and compliance with environmental regulations).
  • Monitor environmental regulations and industry standards to support business units with implementation.
  • Act as the escalation point of contact for operations to coordinate environmental regulatory inquiries and mitigation actions.
  • Facilitate the management of waste reporting, profiling, handling, storage and shipping (i.e., hazardous and non-hazardous wastes), as necessary.
  • Oversee the data entry into the EHS system of regulatory inspections.
  • Assist with review of regional/site operations to ensure that current and planned activities are in conformance with applicable environmental permit, regulatory, and SOP requirements.
  • Assist in addressing environmental concerns related to facility operations.
  • Remain current on training requirements (e.g., Air Emissions, Storm Water, Hazardous Materials, Solid/Hazardous Waste, Petroleum ASTs and Spills Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures, etc.).
  • Assist with the development, review, and revision of required environmental plans (e.g., SWPPP, SPCC, Haz Mat Business Plan, etc.)
  • Assist in data gathering and generation of environmental reports as assigned.
  • Support programs for testing and monitoring of environmental parameters (including future ambient air monitoring network(s)).
  • Ensure day-to-day environmental compliance obligations are being met at each facility; routinely visit all yards within the region.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

  • Actively participate in Leading Indicator programs as set by the Permitting & Compliance Program, including but not limited to:
  • Pre-determined project milestones per fiscal year
  • General Inspections – Environmental.
  • Environmental Training of Key Staff
  • Maintaining a Level of Care for each assigned facility
  • Support implementation of the Environmental Management System

Experience Required

  • 2+ years' experience in environmental compliance management (in corporate setting, with CA-focused regulatory background a plus)
  • Industrial facility experience in environmental compliance requirements
  • Experience implementing industrial facility environmental regulations and standards
  • Experience in engagement with CA environmental regulators
  • Experience with stormwater, hazardous materials, waste, wastewater, and petroleum above-ground storage tank requirements
  • Experience with CA regulations affecting recycling industries a plus
  • Experience in metal recycling or related industry a plus
  • Environmental 14001 ISO standard management experience a plus
  • Electronic environmental reporting and tracking experience
  • Must be willing to work outside for extended periods of time (for sampling, monitoring, site assessments, etc.)

Formal Education, Skills and Competencies

  • 2+ years' experience in environmental compliance/management (in corporate setting, with Northeast-focused regulatory background a plus)
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in environmental engineering or technical/earth sciences (or below):
  • Ecology
  • Geology
  • Chemical Engineering
  • environmental engineering
  • Chemistry or physics
  • environmental sciences
  • environmental management
  • environmental health
  • Technical and/or professional certifications a plus
  • Strong writing and oral communications skills a must (regulatory- and operations-focused)
  • Microsoft Office software skills
  • Experience with CA Environmental Agencies' specific websites


Physical Demands - USA Specific

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the company provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.


Find Out More…Please visit www.simsltd.com for more information on Sims and its commitment to sustainability.


SIMS LIMITED IS PROUD TO BE AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. WE VALUE THE DIVERSITY OF ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND ARE COMMITTED TO CREATING AN INCLUSIVE WORKING ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERYONE CAN CONTRIBUTE, ADVANCE ON MERIT, AND REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. SIMS LIMITED IS AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. THE COMPANY DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ABOUT RACE, SEX, RELIGION, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, CITIZENSHIP STATUS, DISABILITY, AGE, MARITAL OR FAMILIAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, GENDER EXPRESSION, VETERAN STATUS, HOUSING STATUS, SOURCE OF INCOME, OR ANY OTHER STATUS PROTECTED BY FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL LAWS. THIS APPLIES TO ANY EMPLOYMENT DECISION, INCLUDING RECRUITING, HIRING, PLACEMENT, PROMOTION, TERMINATION, LAYOFF, RECALL, TRANSFER, LEAVES OF ABSENCE, COMPENSATION, AND TRAINING. QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WITH A DISABILITY IN NEED OF A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION MAY REQUEST SUCH WITHOUT FEAR OF REPRISAL OR DISCRIMINATION.



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About Sims Metal

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Environmental consulting services

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Jersey City, NJ, US

Year founded

1917